Headshot of Ghislaine Lewis

Ghislaine Lewis

Assistant Professor Of Journalism

Department: Journalism

Location: McEwen - Communications Bldg., Office 203A
Mailing address: 2850 Campus Box Elon, NC 27244

Phone number: (336) 278-7359

Brief Biography

Dr. Ghislaine Lewis is an assistant professor of journalism in ¸£ÀûÑÇÖÞ¹ú²ú¾«Æ·'s School of Communications. Her research examines the links among news media, global politics, and policy, with particular attention to the Caribbean.

Before joining the faculty at Elon in 2026, she spent nine years at the University of Lynchburg, where she was an associate professor of Communication Studies and co-chaired the Africana Studies program. She co-led the development of majors in Digital Media Communications and Diversity Strategies, taught courses including Global Media in the Digital Age and China in the Caribbean, and served as a Faculty Teaching and Learning Fellow. She previously lectured in journalism at Monash University Malaysia, where she coordinated the journalism minor and the honors program, and in media and communication at the University of Canterbury.

Dr. Lewis holds a Ph.D. in Media and Communication from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, an M.S. in Journalism from Florida A&M University, and a B.A. in Communication and Religion from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College. She also holds a Graduate Certificate in Higher Education from Monash University in Australia. She is an alumna of the Annenberg-Oxford Media Policy Institute. She has held fellowships from Florida International University’s Kopenhaver Center and the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges (Mednick Fellowship), as well as an Erasmus international mobility fellowship at the University of Sussex. 

News & Notes

Education

UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY - Christchurch, New Zealand

Doctor of Philosophy in Media and Communication, October 2014

Dissertation Title: “Evolving Newspapers & the Shaping of an Extradition- Jamaica on the Cusp of Change”

Supervisor: Dr. Donald Matheson 

 

FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY - Tallahassee, Fl., USA 

Master of Science - Journalism, April 2008

 

RANDOLPH-MACON WOMAN’S COLLEGE - Lynchburg, Va., USA    

Bachelor of Arts – Communication and Religion, May 2005

 

Employment History

Associate Professor in Communication Studies (tenured 2021)

University of Lynchburg, Va., USA    August 2017- June 2026

  • Developed, coordinated, and administered course material for:

    • COMM 101 - Argumentation and Advocacy (Speechmaking)

    • COMM 201 - Media Writing

    • COMM 202 - Multimedia Reporting and Writing

    • COMM 381 - Social and Mobile Reporting

    • COMM 398 - Global Media in the Digital Age

    • COMM 411 - Supervised Practicum

    • COMM 450 - Investigative Storytelling

    • HONS  343  - China in the Caribbean

  • Co-planned and team-taught in the Master’s in Nonprofit Leadership:

    • LS 690A -Capstone: Strategic Planning and Leadership

  • Faculty Teaching and Learning  Fellow (2024 - 2026)

  • Co-led the development and implementation of majors in Digital Media Communications, Diversity Strategies (Adult Education), and minors in Digital Media Arts and Digital Media Marketing.

  • Advisor for the University of Lynchburg campus newspaper,

 

Co-Chair for Africana Studies

University of Lynchburg, Va., USA    September 2019 - June 2024

  • Co-launched the development and promotion of  the Africana Studies major and minor

  • Developed, coordinated, and administered course material for:

    • AFRS 101 - Introduction to Africana Studies

    • AFRS 398 - Special Topics in Africana Studies

  • Advisor for the African Caribbean Union

 

Executive Director

Pierce Street Gateway, Lynchburg, Va., USA            January 2022 - December 2024

  • Managed and executed the Pierce Street Gateway strategic plan with the Board of Directors.

  • Researched and developed funding opportunities for the Pierce Street Gateway.

  • Developed Pierce Street Gateway communications content and ensured timely distribution.

  • Provided ongoing administrative support for Pierce Street Gateway’s website and social media outlets.

  • Spearheaded development, management, and maintenance of Pierce Street Gateway’s community engagement strategy.

  • Established strong relationships with neighbors, community partners, and City of Lynchburg leadership

 

Consultant

Centra Health/University of Lynchburg, Lynchburg, Va., USA       September 2023 - September 2024

  • Collaborated to refine and expand the Centra Community Health Needs Assessment measurement tool and discuss outcomes, data, and the recruiting plan.

  • Designed and moderated community stakeholder and target population focus groups.

  • Analyzed, interpreted, and organized Community Health Needs Assessment data/outcomes for three localities over nine counties in Central Virginia. 

  • Presented findings to Bedford, Farmville, and Lynchburg service area stakeholders.

 

Consultant - Subject Matter Expert

LearningMate, Princeton, NJ, USA                                                  January 2024 - June 2024

  • Supported eLearning development by authoring formative learning tools and assessments based on the client's manuscript/course design document for communication studies classes.

  • Authored business and communication-related scenarios, questions, lesson introductions, and summaries.

  • Incorporated internal and client feedback.

 

                                        October 2024

 
  • Provided expert consultation for a technical communication class, ensuring the clarity, accuracy, and usability of subject matter.

  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop and review technical documentation, teaching guides, and training materials to enhance students’ online learning experience.

 

Media Consultant

ElShaFord Media Productions, St. Lucia             January 2016- December 2019

  • Advised on research parameters, story development, and interview strategy.

  • Edited, produced, and proofread tenders and grant applications.

  • Editorial Consultant for Vini Kozé, the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States Public Education Forum Series.

  • Media Consultant, Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court E-Litigation Portal.

 

Lecturer in Journalism

Monash University, Malaysia     March 2015 – August 2017

  • Journalism minor coordinator

  • Honors Coordinator (2017)

  • Developed, coordinated, and administered course material for:

    • AMU 1328 - Introduction to Journalism A (print and broadcast journalism)

    • AMU 2780 - Radio News and Current Affairs

    • AMU 3806 - Business Reporting

    • AMU 3810 – Understanding Trends in Global Media

    • AMU4718 – Arts Honors Dissertation 

 
  • Co-planned and team-taught:

    • AMU4720 – Research Issues and Methodology

    • AMU3650 – A World in Crisis: Multi-level Responses to Global Emergencies

    • AMU4727 – Readings in Social and Cultural Theory

Courses Taught

JOU2500 - Journalism in a Free Society

JOU4970 - The Reporting Capstonse

Current Projects

Her current research interests examine how Caribbean newspapers frame the impact of China’s Belt and Road Initiative in the region. 

Lewis, G. (anticipated 2027). Dreamers & deportees: Disney, news coverage and the storytelling of immigration enforcement. In D. Richards (Ed.), Disney and politics. Bloomsbury.

Publications

Chan, P.V., Han, J.W., Lewis, G., Wong, C.H., Tan, S.T., Vagnarelli, G. (2024). A Qualitative Evaluation of Narrative Effectiveness Used in the Six and Titanic Films: A Forgotten Minority Perspective. In: Mansour, N., Bujosa, L. (eds.), Islamic Finance. Contributions to Management Science. Springer, Cham.

Chan, P., Freeman, K., Lewis, G., Sagadavan, R., Chee Hoo, W. (2024). Adoption of Preventive Behavior Among Young Adults: Leveraging Digital Media During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Education Administration Theory and Practice.

Goh, J., Lewis, G., & Leong Pooi Yin, P. (2018).  Sexy media dissidents: State regulation, dissidence, pornography and gay men in Malaysia. Sexuality & Culture.

Lewis, G. (Editorial Director/ Moderator/ Producer) (2024, April 27). Pierce Street Portraits. Oral History Project. Retrieved from

Lewis, G. (Editorial Director/ Moderator/ Producer) (2021, July 24). The Development of an Athlete: A virtual tour of the Legacy Museum of African American History.  For the Legacy Museum of African American History. Retrieved from

Lewis, G. (Editorial Director), Sanford-Belle, O. (Moderator/Producer) (2017, November 17). Organization of Eastern Caribbean States Public Education Forum Series. OECS Climate Change. Retrieved from

Lewis, G. (Editorial Director), Sanford-Belle, O. (Moderator/Producer) (2017, November 17). Organization of Eastern Caribbean States Public Education Forum Series. OECS Economic Growth. Retrieved from

Lewis, G. (Editorial Director), Sanford-Belle, O. (Moderator/Producer) (2017, November 17). Organization of Eastern Caribbean States Public Education Forum Series. OECS Education. Retrieved from

Lewis, G. (Editorial Director), Sanford-Belle, O. (Moderator/Producer) (2017, November 17). Organization of Eastern Caribbean States Public Education Forum Series. OECS Youth Empowerment. Retrieved from

Lewis, G. (Editorial Director), Sanford-Belle, O. (Moderator/Producer) (2017, November 17). Organization of Eastern Caribbean States Public Education Forum Series. OECS Regional Integration. Retrieved from

Lewis, G. (Editorial Director), Sanford-Belle, O. (Moderator/Producer) (2017, November 17). Organization of Eastern Caribbean States Public Education Forum Series. OECS Agriculture. Retrieved from

 

Presentations

Ghislaine Lewis. One Belt, One Caribbean: News Coverage and China’s Environmental Impact in the Region. Caribbean Studies Association, Kingston, Jamaica, 2026.

Ghislaine Lewis. The Uncharted Map. Baccalaureate Service, University of Lynchburg. Lynchburg, Va., USA, 2026.

Ghislaine Lewis. Honor Your Ancestors. Donning of the Kente, University of Lynchburg. Lynchburg, Va., USA, 2026.

Ghislaine Lewis. The Art of Storytelling & Navigating Truth. University of Lynchburg Bonner Fellows. Lynchburg, Va., USA, 2025.

Ghislaine Lewis. The ROI of Doing Good. Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance Nonprofit Summit. Lynchburg, Va., USA, 2025.

Ghislaine Lewis. Leading Boldly: Unlocking Your Leadership Superpower. Emerging Leaders Conference, University of Lynchburg. Lynchburg, Va., USA, 2025.

Ghislaine Lewis. Bridging Generations in Nursing: Strategies to Empower and Inspire the Workforce, Centra Health, Lynchburg General Hospital. Lynchburg, Va., USA, 2025.

Ghislaine Lewis. Reclaiming the Past: Pierce Street’s Lost Narratives. Jones Memorial Library,  Lynchburg, Va., USA, 2024.

Ghislaine Lewis. Pierce Street Portraits. Randolph College,  Lynchburg, Va., USA, 2024.

Ghislaine Lewis. Applied Public Humanities Development & Culture on Pierce Street, University of Lynchburg. Lynchburg, Va., USA, 2024

Ghislaine Lewis. One Hand Can’t Clap: News Coverage of China’s Environmental Impact in the Caribbean. Research Center Faculty Research Presentation Series. University of Lynchburg, Lynchburg, Va., USA, 2024.

Ghislaine Lewis. One Belt, One Caribbean: An Examination of the News Coverage of China’s Environmental Impact in the Region. International Association of Media and Communication Research. Christchurch, New Zealand, 2024.

Ghislaine Lewis. Renew Your Mind and the Rest Will Follow. National Women’s Studies Association Conference. Baltimore, MD, USA, 2023.

Ghislaine Lewis. The Women Who Lead Caribbean Democracies.  Life at Lynchburg. University of Lynchburg, Lynchburg, Va., USA, 2023. 

Ghislaine Lewis. News, China & the Recolonization of the Caribbean. University Lecture Series. University of Lynchburg, Lynchburg, Va., USA, 2022.

Ghislaine Lewis. Women Leading in Caribbean Democracies.  Presented at Women’s Leadership in Democracies. Lynchburg, Va., USA, 2022.

Ghislaine Lewis. Colonization by Investment: China, Online News & the Case of Jamaica. Caribbean Studies Association 45th Conference. Georgetown, Guyana, 2021. (Virtual)

Ghislaine Lewis. Malaysian Election Shock and Its Framing in Online International Newspapers. International Convention of Asia Scholars. Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands, 2019.

 

Professional Development

Bank Of America Institute for Women’s Entrepreneurship at Cornell University- Ithaca, NY, USA

Certificate in Women's Entrepreneurship, anticipated July 2025.

 

University of South Florida -Tampa, Fl., USA

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate, May 2021

 

National Coalition Building Institute -Silver Spring, MD, USA

Diversity Institute Trainer Certificate, February 2021

 

Monash University -Melbourne, Australia    

Graduate Certificate in Higher Education, July 2018

 

University of Oxford – Oxford, United Kingdom

Annenberg-Oxford Media Policy Institute, August 2016

 

Awards

Lynchburg Business Magazine Top 50 Most Influential People (2026)

Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities (VCIC)  2026 Humanitarian  Award

YWCA of Central Virginia 2026 Women of Distinction Igniting Equity Award

University of Lynchburg 2025 Elise Ervin Bock Citizenship Award 

University of Lynchburg 2024 Helen Mundy Witt Award 

State Council of Higher Education for Virginia 2024 Virginia Outstanding Faculty Award Nominee (2023)

Lynchburg Business Magazine Top 20 Under 40 (2022)

Florida International University Kopenhaver Center Fellow (2020)

Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges Mednick Fellowship (2019-2020)